Last time, I talked about a $2500 home theater. That's great for a lot of people, but many people want more. Larger screen, more power, better control, etc.
Again, there is a very wide array of options, so don't take this as the only possible system you can get for the money.
In this package, you would step up from stereo sound to 5.1 surround sound, and move to a 46" LCD television. In addition, we could either wall-mount or table-mount the TV, and the receiver, DVD, and your cable or satellite receiver would all be mounted in a cabinet underneath the TV. All equipment would be protected by high-quality surge suppression, and you would get an easy to use one-touch remote control.
To me, the remote is one of the best things about spending a little more money. In my house, we have a one-touch remote. Not long after we put our system in, my wife and I were going out for the evening, and my mother-in-law was watching the kids. Now, my mother-in-law is great at watching kids, but she's not really interested in trying to figure out how to use the collection of remotes in order to "just watch TV". But with the new remote, my daughter (who was 7 at the time), showed her grandmother how to use the TV. "Just press the 'Watch TV' button, Grandma," she said. And with just that one button push, the TV came on, the receiver came on, and the cable box came on, the TV and receiver inputs were set correctly, and she was watching TV!
Of course, the larger TV and the surround sound also improve your TV watching. Most people agree that for sports or movies, a larger TV creates a better experience. And the ability to mount it all on a wall really improves the feel of most rooms.
Since we're an installation company, all of our packages come with installation and calibration. So you don't have to worry about which wires to plug in where, or how to mount the TV to the wall. And we adjust the color and sound to work perfectly in your room. After all, why bother spending $5K on an entertainment system that doesn't sound right, or doesn't look right?
As with everything we sell, we only use quality brands like Samsung, Denon, Canton, and Universal Remote (URC). So you know you're getting solid equipment that will perform well for years, along with reputable warranty support in the event that something does go wrong.
As with any package, you can always make trade-offs. If you want better sound, you could step up to a better receiver and speakers, while switching to a rear-projection TV. If you want a larger screen, you could go back to stereo sound. If you want an even better one-touch remote, you could consider a smaller TV screen. The options are endless, and the answer to the right system lies in your room, your style, and your budget.
Next time, I'll step up to the $10K level. There are a lot more options here, including gaming, ultra-large projection screens, theater-style seating, etc.
For more information on how Inspired Electronics, Inc. can put in your dream home theater, visit our web site at http://www.inspired-electronics.com or call us at 847.471.4420 for a consultation!
Rob
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Your Home Theater Budget - $2500
One of the key factors in putting together a great home theater system is your budget. We will put together the best possible home theater or electronic system for you within your budget, but we do need to have a target budget to work from.
One of the biggest concerns I hear from people is that they really don't know how much these things cost. They see ads for flat panel TVs all over the place, and they seem pretty cheap (for example, a 42" 720p LCD for $800, or a 47" 1080p LCD for $1500), but they know that's not the whole story.
Consider also the mount, the wiring, and the labor to put it all in and make it work. Plus, many people want to add surround sound, which means a receiver and speakers (and speaker wiring and mounts), possibly a DVD or Hi-Def DVD player, and a good programmable remote control. And if you're thinking along the lines of a dedicated room or media room with a projector, you need the screen and projector, plus more wiring to be able to place the projector correctly. Oh, and don't forget power. Most homes don't have outlets where your TV will go, although we're starting to see that in newer homes.
So how much can I expect to spend? Well, over the next few Blog entries, I will talk about a few common systems at various price points. Note that there is an almost infinite variety of choices. I'm not trying to put together the cheapest system by any means, but rather to offer some common choices in the hi-def arena with great quality brands and models. And of course, since installation is our business, installation is included in all of these packages.
I'll start with an entry-level system, coming in at $2500. With the continued drops in television prices, a $2500 home theater isn't really a stretch any more. For this price range, you're looking at either a smallish flat panel (37" or 42"), or a medium sized DLP Rear Projection (say, 50"). Add in a stereo receiver and bookshelf speakers, and a reasonably good upconverting DVD player, and a few cables, and you have all of the basic equipment to make a pretty good audio and video experience. We would mount this equipment on a stand or table that you provide, hook it all together, and calibrate both the audio and the video to give you the best possible picture with that equipment.
All of the equipment here is made by a major manufacturer (Samsung, Denon, Canton), so you have good eqiupment (albeit at the lower end), and reputable warranty support. You don't get surround sound or a one-touch remote, and this would be in your living room, family room, or similar. For some people, this would make a perfect bedroom system.
Of course, you can always make trade-offs. If you want the one-touch remote, you could go with a smaller TV. If you want a bigger TV, consider the rear projection. If you have a little more in your budget, you can move to 5.1 surround sound instead of stereo.
In my next entry, I'll tackle the next level - $5,000. I think you'll be surprised at the additional value you'll get at that level!
For more information about Inspired Electronics, Inc., visit us on the web at http://www.inspired-electronics.com. We look forward to installing your home theater!
Rob
One of the biggest concerns I hear from people is that they really don't know how much these things cost. They see ads for flat panel TVs all over the place, and they seem pretty cheap (for example, a 42" 720p LCD for $800, or a 47" 1080p LCD for $1500), but they know that's not the whole story.
Consider also the mount, the wiring, and the labor to put it all in and make it work. Plus, many people want to add surround sound, which means a receiver and speakers (and speaker wiring and mounts), possibly a DVD or Hi-Def DVD player, and a good programmable remote control. And if you're thinking along the lines of a dedicated room or media room with a projector, you need the screen and projector, plus more wiring to be able to place the projector correctly. Oh, and don't forget power. Most homes don't have outlets where your TV will go, although we're starting to see that in newer homes.
So how much can I expect to spend? Well, over the next few Blog entries, I will talk about a few common systems at various price points. Note that there is an almost infinite variety of choices. I'm not trying to put together the cheapest system by any means, but rather to offer some common choices in the hi-def arena with great quality brands and models. And of course, since installation is our business, installation is included in all of these packages.
I'll start with an entry-level system, coming in at $2500. With the continued drops in television prices, a $2500 home theater isn't really a stretch any more. For this price range, you're looking at either a smallish flat panel (37" or 42"), or a medium sized DLP Rear Projection (say, 50"). Add in a stereo receiver and bookshelf speakers, and a reasonably good upconverting DVD player, and a few cables, and you have all of the basic equipment to make a pretty good audio and video experience. We would mount this equipment on a stand or table that you provide, hook it all together, and calibrate both the audio and the video to give you the best possible picture with that equipment.
All of the equipment here is made by a major manufacturer (Samsung, Denon, Canton), so you have good eqiupment (albeit at the lower end), and reputable warranty support. You don't get surround sound or a one-touch remote, and this would be in your living room, family room, or similar. For some people, this would make a perfect bedroom system.
Of course, you can always make trade-offs. If you want the one-touch remote, you could go with a smaller TV. If you want a bigger TV, consider the rear projection. If you have a little more in your budget, you can move to 5.1 surround sound instead of stereo.
In my next entry, I'll tackle the next level - $5,000. I think you'll be surprised at the additional value you'll get at that level!
For more information about Inspired Electronics, Inc., visit us on the web at http://www.inspired-electronics.com. We look forward to installing your home theater!
Rob
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